U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, did not rule out the possibility that Israel’s unusual strike in Syria this week was intended to provoke a Turkish military response.
In an interview with content creator Mario Nawfal, Barrack said: “One theory is they simply tried to bait Turkey. It’s a very aggressive move, but one that might play well going into elections. That’s one theory.” He also referred to Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane in 2015 and said election periods can sometimes lead to “irrational judgment.”
Trump envoy: Israel may have struck Syria to bait Turkey into clash that could 'play well' in election
(Video: Mario Nawfal)
Barrack added that the United States had examined Israel’s claim that Turkish forces were preparing to move into the military airfield that was attacked. According to him, the U.S. conclusion was that no such Turkish move was actually taking place.
The comments come amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Israel and Turkey. On Friday, Ankara asked Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what Turkey describes as “genocide,” as part of proceedings connected to the Gaza flotilla affair.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the request followed an arrest warrant issued on July 14 and was part of an ongoing trial in Turkey. According to the Turkish announcement, the allegations include crimes against humanity, genocide, aggravated deprivation of liberty, intentional injury, mistreatment, property damage, aggravated robbery and hijacking.
Turkey’s Justice Ministry also attacked the Netanyahu government’s policies in Gaza and argued that those it holds responsible for alleged crimes should not be shielded from prosecution. “We will not allow the crimes committed in Gaza to be covered up or those responsible to be protected through impunity,” the ministry said.
Israeli public diplomacy spokesman Doron Spielman
(Photo: PMO)
Hours later, Israeli public diplomacy spokesman Doron Spielman released a video portraying Israel’s operation in Syria as an effort to prevent Turkish military entrenchment and ensure that a potential threat does not gradually move closer to Israel’s border.
Spielman, appointed less than two months ago and intended to serve as one of Israel’s leading public faces abroad, said Turkey had established a significant military presence in Syria since the civil war and now controls, according to his account, about 5% of the country’s territory.
By comparison, he said, Israel holds only about 0.1% of territory in southern Syria, along a border exposed to threats from Hezbollah, ISIS and other terrorist organizations.
“Turkey, which faces no threat, holds more than 50 times the territory Israel holds,” Spielman said.